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Top ten small forwards heading into the 2017-2018 NBA season

Here are the Top Ten players in the NBA at the 3 position. The small forward position is typically the most versatile position the league has to offer. Most small forwards in the league today are really solid offensive players who can also play great defense making the three position the most valuable position in the NBA today. We’ve brought you our top ten point guards and shooting guards list, now it’s time to present to you our top ten small forwards list heading into the brand new NBA season!

10. Rudy Gay

2016-2017 Stats: 18.7 PPG 45.5 FG% 6.3 REB

Rudy Gay has been a very consistent scoring threat throughout his NBA career 18 PPG on 45 percent shooting from the field. Gay has been consistent and solid…when he’s actually playing. Last season he played just 30 games and every year it seems he has some sort of niche with his body that keeps him out over a certain period of time. Nonetheless Rudy Gay is excellent at putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim and is a very solid defender at the three spot. His scoring and defensive presence will prove to be a vital addition to the Spurs so long as he can stay healthy for a substantial period of time.

9. Otto Porter Jr.

2016-2017 Stats: 13.4 PPG 51.6 FG% 43.4 3FG%

Otto Porter Jr. has turned himself into one of the deadliest shooters the NBA has to offer. His corner three is almost automatic at this point and his shooting ability compared to the likes of Bradley Beal while on the floor with one another creates hell for defenses. Porter is a solid defensive player capable of guarding guards and forwards due to his length and athleticism. The one problem with his game tends to be shot creating as he ranks among the bottom of the barrel in isolation points among all qualifying small forwards.

8. Andrew Wiggins

2016-2017 Stats: 23.6 PPG 45.2 FG% 4.0 REB

Andrew Wiggins has grown to become a very solid offensive option for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’s an excellent midrange shooter and it’s obvious who he’s modeled his game after…Kobe. Watch a Kobe and Andrew Wiggins comparison video and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. Andrew Wiggins offensive game is the closest we have to Kobe in the league today.

7. Carmelo Anthony

2016-2017 Stats: 22.4 PPG 5.9 REB 43.3 FG%

Hoodie Melo would probably be number one on this list, unfortunately the NBA wont allow him to wear the hoodie underneath his uniform so he’ll have to be satisfied with being number seven on this list for now. Melo is still an excellent ISO scorer with a catch and shoot ability only few players possess in the league today. Playing alongside Russ and PG-13 will (hopefully) revitalize his career but it’ll definitely be an adjustment as he’ll have to get used to playing alongside superstar players such as Westbrook and George.

6. Gordon Hayward

2016-2017 Stats: 21.9 PPG 47.1 FFG% 5.4 REB

Gordon Hayward is one of the best two-way players in the league today. An athletic finisher who can also knock down the three ball, and also a very formidable defensive player as he can guard both guard positions and the 3 spot very well. Now in Boston, Hayward will be playing under a much bigger spotlight as he dawns the jersey of one of the greatest franchises in Sport history. How will he respond to the pressure? Can he deliver a championship to Boston? We shall see.

5. Greek Freak!

2016-2017 Stats: 22.9 PPG 52.1 FG% 8.8 REB 5.4 AST

This past season Greek Freak became the 5th player in NBA history to lead his team in all major statistical categories. It’s even crazier when you consider the fact that he’s only 22 years of age and is just entering his fifth year in the league. The Bucks have an extremely special talent with this one, and if they build the right pieces around him, they have a guy that they can call their franchise player for years and years to come.

4. Paul George

2016-2017 Stats: 23.7 PPG 46.1 FG% 6.6 REB

Paul George’s recovery from the broken leg injury a couple of summers ago has truly been remarkable. When it happened, I questioned if he’d ever be the same but he’s back and just as good as he was before the devastating injury. PG-13 is an excellent defender and scorer and seeing how his game translates playing alongside Russ and fellow all-star small forward, Melo, will be fun to watch but will definitely be an adjustment for all who are involved.

3. Kawhi Leonard

2016-2017 Stats: 25.5 PPG 48.5 FG% 5.8 REB

Kawhi Leonard has literally improved every single year he has been in the NBA. Already a champion, a Finals MVP, and a 2X Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard will only get better as his career progresses. Already the BEST defender the league has to offer, his offensive skills such as shooting and scoring will only get better as he continues to get older and more experienced in a league that is destined to be his one day.

2. Kevin Durant

2016-2017 Stats: 25.1 PPG 53.7 FG% 8.3 REB

Kevin Durant was easily the most efficient player in the league this past season. Arguably the best season of his career, Durant scored the most points with the least amount of shot attempts of all qualifying players in a season which saw him finally capture that elusive first title in which he so desperately coveted, along with a Finals MVP. Like him or hate him, you cant deny that this past season definitely proved that he made the right decision in the summer of 2016.

1. Lebron James

2016-2017 Stats: 26.4 PPG 54.8 FG% 8.6 REB 8.7 AST

I’m gonna sound like a broken record when I say this but Lebron James is the best small forward in the NBA…(Duh). In his 14th season in the league, James averaged career highs in rebounds and assists…in his fourteenth season…that’s incredible. Still a nightly threat for a triple double and an excellent player with all the versatility you could ask for in a player. James can still play all five positions and guard all five positions when need be. His defense isn’t as lockdown as used to be but that’s primarily due to the fact he paces himself so much in games and throughout the season. Now with his spot on the list a question has to be asked, has an NBA player ever been universally known as the best player in the league for as long as Lebron has throughout his career? An interesting thought that deserves much debate.